To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Gardner, 12 February 1806
Debtors Apartment, Washington February 12th 1806
The petition of Archibald Gardner; most respectfully represents:
That your petitioner, is at present confin’d, in the Prison of Washington County, District of Columbia; & has been, ever Since the 22nd. of May last. That in July Term last, Your petitioner was tried, for Assault & Battery, before the Court of the Said District, then Sitting in this City, and was fin’d One Dollar, & ordered to pay the Court Charges, Amounting to $25.47 Dollars more; or remain in Custody till the Sentance was complied with. That from the inability of your Petitioner, to pay the above, he has remained here ever Since, & now prays your Excellancy, will remit his Fine, Court Charges, and Prison fees; and restore him to that Liberty, which he now knows how to estimate. He hopes, that the prayer of this petition, will not be refused, Considering its the first time, he ever was tried, for the like Offence; in any Court, and having already experienced, an Imprisonment of nearly Nine Months. And now, most Sincerely promises that Should his petition be granted, his future observance of the Laws of his Country, Shall truly evince his Gratitude, and in the mean time, will ever pray, as in duty bound.—
Your Petitioner
Arch, Gardner
City of Washington
Febry. 25th. 1806
The within Named Archibald Gardner is in confinement for an Assault on my person, and being satisfied that the punishment he has received is adequate to his Offence, and being also satisfied that he regrets his improper conduct, and will endeavour to conduct with propriety in future, I therefore join in his request and pray that the benefit of a full pardon may be granted him.
Ezr. King
The under signed Judges, believing the facts stated in the within petition to be true, respectfully recommend to the President of the United States to grant the prayer thereof.—
W. Cranch
feb. 26. 1806.
I beg leave To state To the President of the U States That I also Think The unfortunate Petitioner a deserving object of lenity;—the punishment he has undergone being an ample expiation of his offence, which did not appear To be attended with any circumstances of peculiar atrocity,—and beleiving his long confinement To result from undissembled poverty.—
Wr: Jones Jr.—
Let a pardon issue
Th: Jefferson
Mar. 1. 06.
DNA: RG 59—GPR—General Pardon Records.